Widow welcomes 'friendly fire' video release

A cockpit video of a 'friendly fire' attack in which British soldier Matty Hull was killed by a US jet is "vital evidence and must be shown" at the inquest into his death, his widow has said.

Susan Hull was commenting after the video was obtained by The Sun newspaper.

She welcomed the news that the coroner conducting the inquest into Lance Corporal Hull's death would now show the video when the hearing resumes.

The US authorities had refused to declassify the recording despite a request from the coroner.

In a statement released through her lawyers, Mrs Hull said: "I am issuing this statement in response to the full transcript of the cockpit video from call sign POPOV36 issued in today's Sun.

"I believe it to be accurate. I cannot comment on its contents as I am sure that you will appreciate that the inquest is ongoing.

"However, I welcome the statement issued on behalf of the Assistant Deputy Coroner Mr Andrew Walker indicating that he will show the video in public when the inquest resumes.

"It is now well and truly in the public domain. I respect the Coroner's Court and its authority and am pleased that the Coroner will be able to use it as part of his inquiries.

"The inquest is my one and only chance to hear how and why Matty died.

"I would have preferred to hear the evidence from the US pilots themselves.

"However, they cannot be compelled to come and they have not come voluntarily.

"The video is therefore vital evidence and must be shown.

"I do not relish hearing it in open court but after years of being told that it did not exist or was secret I feel that it was right not to give up hope.

"I would like to thank the public for their support and ask the media to respect my privacy and loss and the authority of the Coroner's Court where the inquest will resume.

"I do not intend to comment further on these issues".

Her lawyer, Geraldine McCool of law firm MPH Solicitors, said: "As a solicitor specialising in military aviation I accept that mistakes in battle happen.

"Some are avoidable. Some are not. However, the blanket immunity the US forces enjoy from claims by our soldiers, their own soldiers and all civilians is not helpful, in my view, in forging their attitudes to flying combat.

"I felt that when I dealt with the A-10 incident in the first Gulf War and I feel it now. It is not too late for these pilots to come and give their evidence."

In the 1991 Gulf War, nine out of the 47 British combat deaths were due to friendly fire.

All nine died in the same incident when a US A-10 Thunderbolt tankbuster plane attacked two British Warrior armoured personnel carriers.